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ProblemsByVin File / 2015-KIA-SOUL
2015 · kia

kia Soul problems

2 safety recalls. 886 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
515 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
66 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
57 reports · avg $2,500
severe
steering
44 reports · avg $700
critical
lighting
24 reports · avg $250
moderate
brakes
19 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
18 reports · avg $600
severe
airbags
14 reports · avg $1,100
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2015 Soul · electrical
MY KIA SOUL melted down 3 replaced ignitioon coils they melted and were smoking. dealer wont cover sice its electrical --i purchased a 10 year 100k mile extra warranty through fidelity in deerfield beach fl they sad battery caused it and wont even come to look at it , car…
12/31/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499622.0
2015 Soul · engine
THE CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN JUST SHUT DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND DAMAGE TO THE…
12/31/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385940.0
2015 Soul · engine
PURCHASED VEHICLE 4/22/2019 FROM JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN KENNESAW. APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER GOT IN CAR STARTED TO DRIVE OUT ONTO I- 515, LIGHT CAME ON, I STOPPED CAR IMMEDIATELY, OIL WAS ALL OVER BACK OF CAR, TOP OF CAR, UNDERNEATH CAR, ALL OVER UNDER THE HOOD I IMMEDIATELY…
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292343.0
2015 Soul · other
MY 2015 KIA SOUL STALLS AND WON'T PASS 45 MPH I WAS AT THE TURNPIKE WHEN IT HAPPEN. I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BUT WHEN I LOOK UP FOR MY CAR ITS SAYS I DON'T HAVE A RECALL. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS?
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385694.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 20V750000 02/12/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
severe NHTSA 15V123000 02/03/2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015

If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

Common questions

Is the 2015 Kia Soul reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 886 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Kia Soul has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2015 Kia Soul?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 515 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Kia Soul?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 886 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Other model years
2019 Soul2018 Soul2017 Soul2016 Soul2014 Soul2013 Soul2012 Soul2011 Soul
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Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 13 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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